LOVE BEACH

People tend to forget one very important thing about Love Beach when they bash it. By the time this album was released, ELP was history. The album was only made because of contractual obligations, after the band had decided they no longer had the creative energy necessary to go on. They no longer had any desire to work with each other, so little effort was put into making Love Beach yet another revolutionary album. The result however, is far more enjoyable than most people think. Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman is a beautiful and touching tragedy, and Canario is as much as classical rocker as Hoedown was on Trilogy. The first five songs contain some great progressive pop singles, including For You and Love Beach, which I can sit down and enjoy anyday of the week. Love Beach is, in a way, the de-evolution of Emerson, Lake, & Palmer, but it is also a testament to the band's versatility.